U.S. F-15E Shot Down Over Iran With One Crew Member Rescued
A U.S. fighter jet has been brought down over Iran, with search-and-rescue teams recovering one of the two crew members who ejected, a U.S. official told Reuters. It marks the first known incident of its kind since the conflict began nearly five weeks ago.
The fate of the second crew member remains unclear, raising concerns that a U.S. serviceman could still be evading capture inside Iran.
Rescue operation under way
The aircraft is believed to be an F-15E, which carries both a pilot and a weapons systems officer. Officials have not confirmed which of the two has been recovered or provided details of the operation.
Images circulating on social media appear to show debris consistent with the aircraft type, according to a forensic imagery analyst. Iranian authorities have urged civilians to report any sightings of survivors.
Rising tensions
The incident increases pressure on Washington as it attempts to recover any remaining personnel while managing the risks of further escalation. Iranian officials have made public appeals for civilians to assist in locating the crew.
The development follows recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to intensify military action against Iran, including potential strikes on key infrastructure.
Conflict toll and wider impact
According to U.S. Central Command, 13 American service members have been killed and more than 300 wounded since the conflict began. No U.S. personnel are known to have been captured so far.
Despite U.S. claims of progress, intelligence assessments suggest Iran retains significant missile and drone capabilities. The conflict, involving both the U.S. and Israel, has spread across the Middle East, driving up energy prices and fuelling global inflation concerns.
